Nicotine Contained in Electronic Cigarettes Also Causes 'Blood Clots'... "May Lead to Myocardial Infarction and Stroke"

Similar Effects to Regular Cigarettes... Also Reduces Vascular Elasticity

A man is holding an electronic cigarette with one hand. (Photo by Getty Images Bank)

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Jinsoo Lee] Research has found that electronic cigarettes containing nicotine cause blood clots and reduce the elasticity of small blood vessels, similar to regular cigarettes.

A research team led by Dr. Gustaf L?tinen from the Karolinska Institute, a medical university in Sweden, submitted these findings at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress held in Barcelona, Spain (September 4?8).

According to the research team, smoking nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes immediately increases blood clot formation and decreases the ability of small blood vessels to dilate and expand. This phenomenon is similar to what occurs when smoking regular cigarettes and can lead to myocardial infarction or stroke.

The researchers conducted experiments on 22 healthy men and women aged 18 to 45 who were occasional smokers, so-called intermittent smokers.

The participants were instructed to smoke 30 puffs of nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes and 30 puffs of nicotine-free electronic cigarettes, and their conditions before and after smoking were checked.

The researchers measured the participants' heart rate and blood pressure and collected blood samples before smoking. The same measurements were taken 15 minutes and 60 minutes after smoking the electronic cigarettes.

The team also checked changes in blood flow in small blood vessels before smoking and 30 minutes after smoking.

Comparing the test results before and after smoking, immediate changes were observed in users of nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes. Blood clots increased by an average of 23% 15 minutes after smoking but returned to normal after 60 minutes. Heart rate increased from an average of 66 to 73, and blood pressure rose from an average of 108 to 117, then returned to normal. Temporary narrowing of blood vessels was also observed.

These changes did not occur when smoking nicotine-free electronic cigarettes. Nicotine is known to raise hormone levels such as adrenaline in the body, which contributes to blood clot formation.

Dr. L?tinen warned, "In the long term, nicotine in electronic cigarettes can also generate blood clots and cause blood vessels to narrow," adding, "This can lead to myocardial infarction and stroke."